Philippine Journal of Science
150 (3): 1069-1076, June 2021
ISSN 0031 – 7683
Date Received: 03 Nov 2020

Formulating 3-Chloropropyltriethoxysilane Modified Silica
Nanoparticle Sprays as Hydrophobic Transparent
Coatings onto Cotton Textiles

Mikaela C.S. Mendoza and Gilbert U. Yu*

Department of Chemistry, School of Science and Engineering
Ateneo de Manila University, Quezon City, Metro Manila 1108 Philippines

*Corresponding author: gyu@ateneo.edu

ABSTRACT

Cotton textiles were transformed into hydrophobic fabrics via the application of 3-chloropropylthriethoxysilane-functionalized silica nanoparticle spray coatings. Silica particles were measured to be < 50 nm, as determined by dynamic light scattering (DLS). The incorporation of hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (HTAB), a surfactant, into the nanosilica alcohol-based sprays resulted in a suspension that was stable for at least a week. Stability and turbidity tests of samples point to smaller particle size (silica nanoparticles = 24.3 ± 8.5 nm) as the main contributor to possibly providing transparency, as evidenced when sprayed in colored (black) textiles, while still contributing to hydrophobicity/ superhydrophobicity of the cloth.